‘You either get Norfolk, with its wild roughness and uncultivated oddities, or you don’t. It’s not all soft and lovely. It doesn’t ask to be loved.’ Stephen Fry

Where to stay?

We were invited, along with our dog, to Forest Park Holidays in North Norfolk, near Cromer. It’s only 2.5 hours from London, if you get a clear run. We had the option of camping or staying in one of their holiday homes. We’re intrepid campers but as it was the end of September and temperatures were likely to drop in the evening and in the mornings we plumped for a caravan. The holiday homes are very well kitted out; double glazing, flat screen TVs, sleeping for 6, an en-suite, plenty of outdoor seating and sea-views from some parts of the park.

The site itself is rather vast you can walk for about 15 mins without leaving the site. However, unlike other caravan parks, where you have 100s of static caravans lined up in a field, the site has gentle rolling hills and is surrounded by forest which results in much smaller more naturally attractive clusters of holiday homes. There’s also an onsite bar/restaurant, games room for the kids, outdoor play equipment and an indoor heated pool. The camping facilities also looked impressive.

Things to see and do

We were absolutely blessed with the weather, we had booked into Pensthorpe Natural Park and Hootz House, which is an indoor play centre that brings the outdoors inside, on Saturday morning, but as the sun was out and we were expecting temperatures in the region of 18 degrees, it would have been criminal not to go to the beach. The Beach, in Overstrand, was only a 15 minute walk from the Holiday Park. As the tide was out we decided to walk to the pier in Cromer which was only about a 30 minutes by foot.

Food and Drink

It was the best decision, after grabbing a quick ice-cream we meandered down the pier, luckily we’d thought ahead and had brought a crabbing net with us, but if you find yourself short, you can buy everything for a spot of Crabbing at the RNLI gift shop, including Mackerel, at the end of the pier. And to my great delight there was a bar on the pier and if you put your lager in a plastic glass you could go anywhere on the pier with it! Beer, Sea and Sunshine! Result!

Catch and release!

As we were in Cromer it would have been rude not to have crab sandwiches, before grabbing a quick taxi back to Northrepps, which was less than a fiver and they were more than happy to accommodate our dog.

On Saturday Night we treated ourselves to a meal at the Sister Hotel to the Caravan Site, Northrepps Cottage Country Hotel, it was less than a 10 minute walk through the woods, but make sure you take a torch, as the return journey after a few Gin and Tonics and possibly some red wine could prove difficult.

Edible Flowers! ‘Mummy they taste a bit off!’

On Sunday, we decided to make a small detour on the way home, to revisit Salthouse where we stayed at Christmas. The staff at the Holiday Park were incredibly friendly and helpful, when we mentioned we’d be heading west along the coast, they suggested we stop at the newly opened Rocky Bottom Cafe, originally built in the 1800s as a brick kiln, which is situated between Cromer and Sheringham.

If you find yourself in the area, it’s a must, fresh local seafood with a stunning view. It is owned and operated by husband and wife, Richard and Alison. Richard has been a local fisherman for 35 years using a traditional double-ended crab boat, he goes out every other day and upon his return he boils the crabs and lobsters and Alison dresses them all. You don’t get much fresher than that.

That was my third trip to North Norfolk and I have definitely fallen in love with it and will be returning as soon as we can for another family holiday.

Just sitting here thinking of a couple of friends who have gone camping for the first time with their kids, the weather couldn’t be worse for them this week. We’ve text a few times, the gazebo has collapsed in the wind, a tarpaulin has taken flight and they’re currently hiding in the Children’s Play Barn. Bless them, but their spirits don’t seem to be ‘dampened’. Hopefully it brightens up for them this afternoon.

This year we were incredibly lucky, we went camping for a total of 14 days in a row, taking in 4 camp-sites (Hurley Riverside, Wo Wo, Stubcroft Farm and Eweleaze Farm) and only had two days of rain which is a miracle in the UK. We normally go to Canada every summer and this is the first time in 7 years we didn’t, the flight prices just got too much, hence the extended camping trip. Personally, I love camping, I can sit by a fire drinking beer and my daughter gets a chance to be a ‘kid’ running feral with all the other children on the site.

We are fairly well kitted out for camping and have most things. Anyone who is in to camping knows it’s all about the gear. In some ways, mostly financial, it’s a good thing we are limited on space in our car. I’ve been quite skilled at ‘Car Boot Tetris’ which is similar to ‘Fridge Tetris’ which I play at Christmas.

However, if you’re thinking on embarking on a Family Camping Trip there are a few essential items you should put on your check-list, that will make it more enjoyable.

10 Things You Need to Take Camping

Corkscrew Bottle Opener – it’s now acceptable to buy wine with a screw top but if you get caught out, it’s not impossible to get one with a cork open without a corkscrew, if you have a tree and a tea towel, but it does make it a lot easier. You can also get a beer bottle open with a cigarette lighter or if you’re my Auntie she can do it with her teeth, but again, it’s easier with a small bottle opener and costs less at the dentist.

Can Opener – I really wish I could find my Swiss Army Knife then getting into a tin would be a doddle. However, if you think a bit ahead and try to buy tins with a ring pull you won’t face this conundrum. I also try to buy pre-sliced buns etc.

Bungee Cords – I swear the people that manufacture tents and sleeping bags have seriously warped senses of humour. Stuff sacks! You are kidding me. Apparently, we have an over-sized tent bag, if over-sized bag means it just fits without the zipper bursting open then they would be correct. We carry a couple of spare bungee cords which allows us to cinch the tent a bit tighter so we can get it back in the bag with minimal arguments. Plus, they are great for make shift clothes lines etc.

Insulated Coffee Mugs – Beer o’clock is a moveable feast when camping but until then it’s coffee for me. Boiling a kettle on a camp stove can take ages, especially if you watch it, the Insulated Coffee Cups, first reduce the chance of spilling and lets you enjoy the coffee before it’s turns into an Iced Cappuccino. These ones have a narrower base so they fit in the cups holder in the car. And when you are all coffeed out you can sneak a beer into it, no one will be the wiser, and it stays cooler longer.

Rock Pegs – when you first buy a new tent, check out the pegs if they are the thin ones with the hook at the top, throw them straight in the bin, they are completely useless and after a couple of whacks with a mallet (see below) they bend and are rendered completely useless. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. Rock pegs can penetrate the hardest and rockiest terrains. However, they can be a bit tricky to get out but you don’t have to worry about your tent or gazebo taking flight.

Mallet – we are now the proud owner of three mallets; a wooden one, rubber one and a plastic one. When I first opened the plastic one, I really thought it would shatter after trying to hammer in the first rock peg, but I was pleasantly surprised at how strong this Tent Peg Mallet was. The best bit about it is the other end can be used to pull out the stubborn rock pegs with a bit of persuasion and on occasion levering.

Bin Liners – take a whole roll if you can, they are great for dirty laundry, make shift rain ponchos, covering wet chairs, wrapping up wet boots and of course for rubbish/recycling.

Dry Shampoo – Face it! Showers don’t tend to be brilliant at campsites and on occasion you may have to queue for one. So, if you miss a day or three, a blast of dry shampoo can fool you into thinking you are slightly less filthy.

Walkie Talkies – prior to this camping trip we bought a set of Walkie Talkies for our daughter, thinking we could keep one with us and track her down if need be. However, I found another use for them…. scaring the h*ll out of other kids on the camp-site, you can scan for their frequency, then the fun begins. No, I did not say things like ‘I’m watching you’. Hours of fun!

Solar Powered Fairy Lights – there are no real reasons to cover your tent and gazebo in Twinkly Lights but they’re soooooo pretty and if you have a few too many beers, you can always find your way back from the loos in the dark. Not bad for highlighting evil tripping Guy Wires (or is is Guide Wires?) in the dark.

I’m sure there is a few things I have left off the list. What are your must have camping essentials?

We’ve just returned home from 2 weeks of camping in the UK, we tried out 4 different sites which I will write about soon. In October last year we got a dog, so we find camping perfect for us as a family. I can sit in a field and drink beer, my daughter can run feral with other kids and our dog gets to spend loads of time with the family and outdoors.

A lot of campsites will allow well-behaved dogs, we did find that some do charge a bit extra, but it’s a lot cheaper than putting them in kennels while you’re away. However, the majority of sites will require you to have them on a lead at all times, which is understandable as they can get into all sorts of mischief. This is our dog on the naughty step after nicking Prosecco from another site.

We did find a couple of sites that had areas (paddocks) to run your dog and a few dog friendly beaches. You might also want to check that certain breads are not banned from sites as we did see this as well.

We’ve taken our dog camping a few times now and these are a few things that we recommend that you take with you.

13 Things to Take Camping for your Dog

Folding Crate and Bedding: We have a folding canvas crate that he sleeps in at home, it folds down flat so easily slips in on top of our camping gear in the car. The crate is not only a safe and familiar place for them but can also keep them secured at night. We also found that he used it during the day to get some rest but do be careful if you are blessed with good weather as tents, like cars can get incredibly hot. Also take their bedding as temperatures can drop at night.

Ground Peg, Flexible Lead and a Karabiner: As they will be on the lead a lot of the time I would recommend getting a ground peg and a flexible lead, this gives them a bit more freedom. We find the easiest way to attach them is using a large Karibiner, which will also come in handy when you get home. We use ours a lot in pubs and parks.

Dog Shampoo: After two weeks our dog started to get a bit smelly, but to be fair so did we, in hindsight we wish we would have brought his dog shampoo with us. He also went into the sea a few times, a local farmer claimed the sea water is good for parasites etc, but I can’t imagine it would feel nice.

Food and Water: This one is fairly obvious but do take enough food for the time you will be away, especially if they tend to have a brand that is not readily available in all stores and store in a water proof tub to avoid soggy food and other animals getting into it.

Travel Water Bottle: As mentioned before we do take food and water for him, depending where you are a lot of places will have water bowls for dogs but not always. We tend to keep a travel water bottle in the boot of the car at all times.

Towel: Definitely take a towel that is dedicated for the dog, unless you fancy sharing yours with your pooch.

Poo Bags: Take a plethora of poo bags with you, you can never have enough. Plus, they also come in handy for other things.

Tennis Ball and Ball Thrower: These don’t tend to take up a lot of space and are an excellent way of running your cooped up dog when you get a chance.

*Warning!*

The only downside of taking an adorable dog camping is that you will have every other kid at the camp-site at your pitch from morning till night, but it was a great way for our daughter to meet other kids.

Outdoor Holiday Activities for Kids near St Albans

I really didn’t think this one through. On Sunday we arrived home after two weeks of camping; playing in the woods, tenting it and building fires. So, when I checked my diary and realised I had booked my daughter in for a Bushcraft Survivor Course with Wild Child Activities first thing on Monday morning, I wasn’t sure how she was going to take it, but she absolutely loved it. It probably helps that she is obsessed with Bear Grylls.

Wild Child Activities is based at Phasels Wood Activity Centre in Kings Langley (near Hemel Hempstead). They do an exciting selection of Holiday Activities for kids 7+ including Archery, Animation, Fencing and Residential Camps for kids 8 and over. I’m all up for getting kids outside. Upon dropping her off, I was rather impressed with the facilities. The Centre is set in 95 acres of rolling meadowlands, woodlands and fields in Hertfordshire. It’s only 20 minutes from St Albans, access is via Kings Langley and the return journey takes you along the A41.

I’ll leave the 7 year old to tell you more about it.

So how was it?

‘It was really good.’

What did you do?

Water Filtration

‘We roasted marshmallows, made dens and then played games. We had to try and clean water by ourselves. We got a trouser leg and one big pot of clean water, they asked us to put mud in it and all stuff icky like leaves, we had a tipi thing and we tied the leg of the trouser to it, we then tied a knot in the bottom of the trouser leg and we poured the dirty water in it and clean water dropped out of the bottom of the leg.’

Games

‘We played a game of Man Hunt which was different to normal. Two teams go off and hide and then they have to try and spot each other without getting spotted first. If you are spotted you lose. It’s a good game. We played 4 rounds.’

Den Building

‘We were given a piece of rope and a sheet, so then we had to try and make a den, we could use all the materials that were all around us in the woods but we were not allowed to pick things off the trees.’

How come there were so many adults?

‘Two teams always stick together, there are three adults. Two of them go into the woods and one stays with each team and the third stays at the base camp getting the fire and everything else ready for when we came back.’

Would you do it again?

‘Yes, because I enjoyed it and I found it interesting. My favourite bit was playing the games, because we got to go into all the parts of the wood except the boundary line.’

How many kids were there?

‘There were 10 children in the group.’

Did you meet some nice kids?

‘Yes, I was the youngest and the oldest person was 10 or 11. I worked well with another little girl, we worked as a team when playing Man Hunt and Den Building.’

Residential Camps for Next Year

We will definitely be looking to book more sessions next year. I’m particularly interested in the Residential Camps but she won’t be 8 years old for a few weeks. The Residential Camps include two full days of outdoor adventures and Bushcraft Activities and an overnight stay in a Bell Tent Village.

We had the opportunity to stay in a Bell Tent during our Camping Trip and fell in love with them.

I have done some challenging things in my time, running 3 half marathons, climbing Mt Kinabalu (the 2nd highest mountain in South East Asia) and of course giving birth. But have you ever tried to walk with a broken flip flop?

It was one of those days, we needed to take the dog for a walk as we were going to be out for a few hours. We tend to go to the local park and let him have a paddle in the river, so my daughter planned her footwear carefully, or so I thought. She decided on a cheap pair of Jelly Shoes. We got half way down the road and then had to come back, to change them as they were hurting her feet. I’m not surprised.

We eventually got to the park, then sadly there was a slightly grumpy grandfather of three who obviously would rather I didn’t let my dog off the lead to splash in the river. So, we admitted defeat and started for home.

This is when my flip flop broke…..

Flip-flop malfunction in the park help I’m stuck!

This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. Once it happened in a pub but we had some duct tape and taped it to my foot so I could get home. However, being at the local park I did not have any on me.

The Best Flip Flops for Corn Sufferers (IMO)

‘Beach shoes are an excellent solution – flip-flops that have a thong for each toe are marvellous at restoring correct functioning in the foot and toe.’ – via the Daily Mail

I won’t go into too much detail about my dodgy feet, but I do have a corn on the ball of my right foot, which makes walking barefoot excruciating. It feels like walking on a golf ball. I do get it treated regularly but it does tend to build up again. Anyhow, I had to circumnavigate the gravel paths and cobblestones, nearly making me break down in tears. In the end, I had to call hubby to come and rescue us in the car.

I was absolutely gutted that I broke my favourite pair of LuLu Fit Flops, which I bought last year and wear all the time, as they are one of the only ones I can wear comfortably. They’ve a comfortable toe piece and a very thick spongy foot bed, which accommodates my dastardly corn.

Luckily, I have a spare pair of Reef Flip Flops. Up until the weekend I hadn’t worn them a lot, but found them just as comfortable. The toe post is soft, so none of that first day flip flop pain. The straps are lined with an ultra soft lining, plus they have a built in arch support to support my rather flat feet and the suede foot bed allows me to walk virtually pain free. They are a bit more casual than my Fit Flops and couldn’t wear them to work but they are perfect for a day at the Lido.